Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June is the month of the Sacred Heart

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of the Lord

In other years: Saint Luan (520-592)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18 The Order of the Psalmody - Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication

Mass: Jer 20:10-13; Resp Ps 69; Rm 5:12-15; Mt 10:26-33

Shame covers my face.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, DELIGHT OF ALL THE SAINTS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, COURAGE OF MARTYRS,

SAVE US.

So do not be afraid.

(Mt 10:31)

Welcome to the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Blessed be our God, always.

On the subject of not being afraid, then, for how could we be afraid in any case. The Lord is with us, no matter what, be it joy, trial, persecution, murmuring, grief, and so forth. Through it all, the Prophet Jeremiah could still sing to the Lord, and praise the Lord; for He has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked (see Jer 20:13). And what about "the Shreveport Martyrs" who I learned about yesterday. Shreveport, you ask? Yes, that would be Shreveport, Louisiana, USA, in the Diocese of Shreveport. The martyrs, now Servants of God (whose cause for canonization continues per the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who voted unanimously to continue it!), were five young French priests who immigrated to Shreveport in 1873 during an outbreak of yellow fever. Father Isidore A. Quemerais, Father Jean Pierre, Father Jean Marie Biler, Father Louis Marie Gergaud, and Father Francois LeVezouet, responded to a posting on the wall of their seminary in France. It went like this:

We offer no salary, no recompense, no holiday or pension. But, much hard work, a poor dwelling, few consolations, many disappointments, frequent sickness, a violent or lonely death, and an unknown grave.

Still, the young men went for it. God is praised. When they arrived in Louisiana and commenced their work, the disease struck. The yellow fever epidemic was no small matter, either. It was the "third-worst epidemic of Yellow Fever in United States history"; people fled the city and within three months of August 1873, Shreveport lost one-fourth of its population - over 1,200 deaths in total. The epidemic was over by mid-November 1873, leaving in its wake devastating losses for the city of Shreveport, including all five priests who died of the fever in September and October 1873. So, with gratitude for their "giving it all up for Jesus," let's pray them into sainthood and ask them to please intercede for us, giving us strength, courage, and perseverance as we pray to grow in faith, hope, and love. May we be inspired. And, cry out with Father Biler as he died, "I am going to Heaven!" Mary, queen of all martyrs, pray for us. Mary, queen of all saints, pray for us.*

This week's voices come again from George Cardinal Pell and his Prison Diary: The Cardinal Makes His Appeal, Volume 1. I continue to be inspired by the Cardinal's voice as well as by the voices he quotes.

If you have hate in your heart, you won't do any good; 

you won't be at peace until you get ride of it.

(Bishop James Patrick? O'Collins, 1892-1983, p. 216)

O Lord, 

Give us a mind that is humble, quiet, peaceable,

Patient and charitable,

And a taste of your Holy Spirit

In all our thoughts, words, and deeds.

(From a prayer by Saint Thomas More, 1478-1535, p. 214)

Life is mostly froth and bubble,

Some things stand like stone,

Friendship in another's trouble,

Courage in your own.

(Adam Lindsey Gordon, 1833-1870, the first Australian poet to be recognized, horseman, police officer, and politician, p. 281)

If you can wait and not be tired of waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.

(From Rudyard Kipling's, 1865-1936, poem, "If", p. 147)

Here are two reminders to maintain a positive attitude and be grateful for simple pleasures, those types of things we take for granted. And also, just to "go with the flow." Freedom is found therein.

I regard the pasties which are sometimes served at Saturday lunch, with tomato sauce, as the best meal available here. An added unusual bonus today was that it was warm; not hot, but warm food is something special. Deo gratias. 

(Cardinal Pell, p. 212)

Life returned to normal this morning as the siren sounded at 7:17 am, which is as close as we ever get to precision here in the jail. Delay is built into the system as a reminder to us, as prisoners, of our status. Once you accept this basic premise, life is simple and the warders are not unpleasant. 

(Cardinal Pell, pp. 192-193)

I have found the Cardinal's prayers to be helpful, so other-centered; he always prayed for others.

God our Father, I thank you for so many good friends; keep them in our care, reward them for their kindness, do not allow them to be put to the test too often, and keep their children faithful, good, and happy.

(Cardinal Pell, p. 147)

THE SHREVEPORT MARTYRS,

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS,

BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSITI,

SAINT LUAN,

BLESSED JOSEPHINE CATANEA,

SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA,

SAINT JOHN SOUTHWORTH,

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,

BLESSED NYKYTA BUDKA,

BLESSED VASYL VELYCHKOVSKY,

SAINT IRENAEUS,

SAINT PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES,

THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE SEE OF ROME,

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,

SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA, FATHER OF CALIFORNIA,

BLESSED NAZJY FALZON,

OUR LADY OF BUDSLAU,

PRAY FOR US.

* See Emily Glover, June 22, 2023, in CATHOLICVOTE, "Who are 'the Shreveport Martyrs'." Also, the official website, shreveportmartyrs.org, which includes a trailer for the documentary, "The Five Priests," a Cannes World Film Festival Winner.

Today's photo: Water lily with trellis shadow. I pray to you, O Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

Father's Day

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 14 The Celebration of Vigils on the Anniversary of Saints - Ch 18 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Ex 19:2-6a; Resp Ps 100; Rm 5:6-11; Mt 9:36-10:8

Serve the Lord with gladness.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.  

HEART OF JESUS, DESIRE OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Without cost you have received; 

without cost you are to give.

(Mt 10:8)

Welcome to the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. And Happy Father's Day to all fathers and grandfathers, and all Father fathers too. Saint Joseph, pillar of families, pray for us.

Today, and throughout the week, why not reflect on all the gifts God has given you, without measure. Write down five gifts, and then, pay something forward. Remember too some words from Jesus: Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you (Lk 6:38). In doing this, then, your spirits may be lifted, and your mood may lighten; you may be rejuvenated. Yes, the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mt 10:7). So, we boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rm 5:11) and remember that "In everything we do God considers our disposition rather than our actions. And so, whether we retire mentally to God in earnest contemplation and remain at rest or whether we are intent of being of service to those around us with good works and worthy undertakings, let our object be that we are motivated only by the love of Christ" (Saint Laurence Justinian, 1381-1456). 

Our voices for the week come from tea bag tags ☺, all fitting intros to a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889). United in faith and prayer, Jesus summons each one of us, just like He summoned His twelve disciples (Mt 10:1), and we go forth. Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.

Plant kindness and gather love.

(Proverb)

Beauty is not caused. It is.

(Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886)

Are not flowers stars of the earth?

(Clara Lucas Balfour, 1808-1878)

In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.

(Aristotle, 384-322 BC)

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

(Shakespeare, 1564-1616)

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.

(Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882)

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

(Lao Tzu, 6th-5th century BC)

Pied Beauty

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Glory be to God for dappled things-

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut falls; finches' wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced-fold, fallow, and plough;

All all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows him?)

With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;

He fathers-forth whose beauty is past changed:

Praise him.

SAINT ROMUALD

SAINTS ALBAN, JULIUS AND AARON,

THE IRISH MARTYRS,

SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA,

SAINT JOHN RIGBY,

SAINT JOHN FISHER,

SAINT THOMAS MORE,

SAINT PAULINUS OF NOLA,

SAINT ETHELREDA,

SAINT THOMAS GARNET,

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: In Ordinary Time there is always something extraordinary. The world is charged with the grandeur of God ...

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Corpus Christi The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

Commencement of the Parish Year for Eucharistic Revival

In other years: Saint Barnabas the Apostle

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 8 The Divine Office at Night - Ch 13 The Celebration of Lauds on Ordinary Days

Mass: Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a; Resp Ps 147; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Sequence Lauda Sion; Jn 6:1-58

He has granted peace in your borders.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, MOST WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? 

The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

(1 Cor 10:16)

Welcome to the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Our "Pope of the Eucharist," Pope Saint Pius X (1835-1914), has this to teach us: "Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven." Inspired by another great pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022), then, "Let us encourage one another to walk joyfully, our hearts filled with wonder, towards our encounter with the Holy Eucharist, so that we may experience and proclaim to others the truth of the words with which Jesus took leave of His disciples: 'Lo, I am with you always, until the end of the world' (Mt 28:20)."* Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Amen. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Eucharist, pray for us.

And now for the voices for the week, all from popes. In doing so, united in faith and prayer as we are, we remember Pope Francis who is convalescing in Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital after a recent surgery. The Holy Father will pray the customary Sunday Angelus prayer in private "uniting himself spiritually with affection and gratitude to the faithful, wherever they may be, who wish to accompany him" (Vatican News, June 10, 2023). We accompany Pope Francis, and hear from yet another great and Great pontiff, Pope Saint Gregory the Great (540-604):

When we are linked by the power of prayer, we, as it were, hold each other's hand as we walk side by side along a slippery path; and thus by the bounteous disposition of charity, it comes about that the harder each one leans on the other, the more firmly we are riveted together in love.

(Pope Saint Gregory the Great)

And since we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday ... 

Since there is in the Sacred Heart a symbol and a sensible image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, it is fit and proper that we should consecrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart - an act which is nothing else than an offering and a binding of oneself to Jesus Christ, seeing that whatever honor, veneration and love is given to this divine Heart is really and truly given to Christ Himself.

(Pope Leo XIII, 1810-1903)

Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963)

Modern man listens more readily to witnesses than to teachers; and if he does listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.

(Pope Saint Paul VI, 1897-1978)

Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. 

Look forward to the future with confidence.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Purity of heart is what enables us to see.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

Jesus Himself warns us that the path He proposes goes against the flow, even making us challenge society by the way we live, and as a result, becoming a nuisance. He reminds how many people have been, and still are, persecuted simply because they struggle for justice, because they take seriously their commitment to God and to others. Unless we wish to sink into obscure mediocrity, let us not long for an easy life, for "whoever would save his life will lose it "(Mt. 16:25).

(Pope Francis, b. 1936)

SAINT BARNABAS,

SAINT GASPAR BERTONI,

SAINT ONUPHRIUS,

BLESSED ALPHONSUS MAZUREK AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED HILARY JANUSZEWSKI,

SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA,

SAINT DAVNET,

SAINT LIDWINA,

SAINT ELISHA,

BLESSED MARIA CANDIDA OF THE EUCHARIST,

BLESSED PETER SNOW AND RALPH GRIMSTON,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

SAINT BOTOLPH,

SAINT GERMAINE COUSIN,

PRAY FOR US.

*Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis Sacrament of Charity, 97.

Today's photo: Another spur of the moment shot. Swiftly runs His word!

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

In other years: Saint Clotilde (575-545)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch  7:49-54 Humility

Mass: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; Resp Ps (Dn 3); 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18

Glory and praise forever. 

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF JESUS, IN WHOM DWELLS ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 9:7)

Rise from your seats, dear faithful readers, and sign yourself big, with intention and reverence. Trace the sign of the cross: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Remind yourself how much God loves you; He "so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life"! (Jn 3:16). I believe, help my unbelief. Alleluia. God gave His life for you, all of us, so, as the Holy Father told the thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square at today's Angelus address, "we repeat to ourselves that His love envelops us completely, from top to bottom, from left to right, like an embrace that never abandons us." The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with you all (2 Cor 13:13). Amen.

And now with a warm welcome to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and the glorious month of June devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To start things off (after the not so brief introduction ☺) we hear from Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852): "If you have no earthly consolation, why do you not seek consolation in the heart of Jesus? To love Him is truest joy." Amen to that. Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us. And not without a couple of fun facts about the Sacred Heart, did you know that in 1856, Pope Pius IX established the Feast of the Sacred Heart for the universal church (celebrated June 16 this year)? And in his 1899 encyclical Annun Sacrum, Pope Leo XIII ordained that the "principal Church in every town and village" should be consecrated to the Sacred Heart (14). Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us. All of these things are enough to keep anyone busy for a week ☺O the beauty of our faith tradition. However, if you do not have enough to keep you busy this week, amidst your various, daily responsibilities, remember to "rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Cor 13:11). United in faith and prayer, we go forth.

And now our voices for the week, a word from here and there. 

Every day we are called to be salt for the world, bringing the flavor of [Jesus'] love to a culture bland from disillusionment. Spending my daily life on plans that are merely focused on myself is putting a bushel basket over what Jesus wants others to see and witness: His love radiating uniquely through you.

(Sister Faustina Maria Pia, S.V., member of the Sisters of Life)

Love everyone with a deep love based on charity ... but form friendships only with those who can share virtuous things with you. The higher the virtues you share and exchange with others, the more perfect your friendship will be.

(Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, 1567-1622)

Seventy-seven times forgiveness acknowledges that I do not see the whole story, that God does not love me more than He loves those with whom I am in conflict. It is absolute surrender and love, and extravagant kind of grace, and undeserved forgiveness that holds out a hand that may be refused.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits ... your only limit is your soul.

(Auguste Gusteau, in Ratatouille, 2007)

Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

I should be distressed that I drop off to sleep during my prayers and during my thanksgiving after Holy Communion. But I don't feel at all distressed. I know that children are just as dear to their parents whether they are asleep or awake and I know that doctors put their patients to sleep before they operate. So I just think that God 'knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust'.

(The Story of a Soul: Autobiography of St Therese of Lisieux, Ch.8)

Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry.

(Saint Pio of Pietrelcino, Padre Pio, 1887-1968)

SAINT JOHN EUDES,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY,

SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE,

SAINT CLOTILDE,

SAINT BONIFACE, APOSTLE OF GERMANY,

SAINT NORBERT,

SAINT EPHREM THE DEACON,

SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT,

SAINT JARLATH,

SAINT COLMAN OF DROMORE,

SAINT ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER,

BLESSED ANNE OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW,

SAINT JAMES BERTHIEU,

SAINT WILLIAM OF YORK,

SAINT COLUMBA,

SAINT JOSE DE ANCHIETA,

BLESSED EDWARD POPPE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This photo was taken for one of our artist sisters to draw. It is these spurs of the moment type shots that turn out the best. I was standing on a chair for this one. ☺ Praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2023